Novel ergonomic pillow and uses thereof in bedding

ABSTRACT

An orthopaedic pillow designed to adapt to the morphology of each individual, in particular to support the head and the neck. A progressive-comfort pillow having two flexible angular blocks, attached in the reverse direction by the common angular surfaces thereof, the two parts being made with different flexibility and firmness, the upper part of one being assembled with the lower part of the other. Four separate positions are thus obtained, each of the positions having many areas providing different support.

The present invention relates to the field of the necessities of lifeand in particular to the field of bedding and sleeping arrangementsensuring a relaxed and complete sleep.

Specifically a deep and restful sleep is conditioned by the position ofthe body and, above all, of the head which must allow for a relaxationof the cervical muscles, of the intervertebral disks and, at the sametime, provide adequate support for the head without risk of deformationof the skull, particularly with newborn babies and very young children(see French patent 2.913.578).

The present invention relates to a progressive-comfort orthopedic pillowwhich adapts to the morphology of each individual and is specificallydesigned to obtain the appropriate positioning and support of the head,of the neck and of the spinal column.

It relates in particular to a progressive-comfort pillow which comprisestwo angular blocks made of flexible material attached in reversedirections by their angular faces, the top part of one being assembledwith the bottom part of the other, so that the bottom face and the topface of the pillow are preferentially parallel, and so that one blockhas a different flexibility compared to the other block in order toobtain a continuous variation of flexibility over the entire width. Thematerials of different flexibility and firmness can also be of differentnature, for example, viscoelastic foam with shape memory, springs,cellular foam, latex or with air or water pockets.

This special assembly makes it possible to obtain distinct positionswith four types of support and comfort, each of these positionsbenefitting from many areas providing different support.

Depending on the position adopted by the person sleeping, the thrustexerted differs: a first position where the upper area holding the headis mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth whereas the area of thecervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately moreflexible, a second position where the upper area holding the head ismainly firm then flexible at extreme depth whereas the area of thecervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately moreflexible, a third position where the upper area holding the head issubstantially even-handed, firm on the surface then flexible at depthwhereas the area of the cervicals is mainly firm then flexible atextreme depth, a fourth position where the upper area holding the headis substantially even-handed, flexible on the surface then firm at depthwhereas the area of the cervicals is mainly flexible then firm atextreme depth.

This pillow makes it possible to ensure the appropriate support for thehead, for the vertebrae and intervertebral disks, for the muscles, forthe ligaments and for the nerves.

By virtue of the superposition of the two blocks, of the differentflexibility and firmness of the material and of the areas of supportdifferentiated from one area to another, the assembly follows thecontours of the areas of the body supported and eliminates the points ofcompression to obtain a complete muscular and vertebral relaxation. Theaim of the invention is to best distribute the force exerted in order toavoid over- or under-pressures.

The different positions of the pillow make it possible to distribute thepressures to obtain a graded absorption of the head and of the neck. Thepillow is not preformed so as not to constrain the head and thecervicals into a given position but, on the contrary, it is thedifferent positions, the areas of support and the material which followthe forms.

Furthermore, the pillow can be produced in different thicknesses, so asto free the shoulder in position on the side, which has a directinfluence on the pressures of the head and of the cervicals and modifiesthe enveloping and comfort in position on the back. Furthermore, thispillow can be produced in different dimensions with or without roundedcorners.

This pillow can also be used for people who have to sleep in a seatedposition (problems associated with asthma, gastric reflux) or in acomfort position (television, reading) or in different places for anytype of use associated with comfort.

This pillow is therefore aimed at any individual, as a preventivemeasure, and at any person who has medical and physiological problems.

The desired aim for the user is to have four pillows in one. This makesit possible to find the position best suited to the user's comfort andpersonal support.

With this special assembly, the firmnesses and the flexibilities of thetwo blocks can be varied, thus making it possible to obtain differentresults. It is also possible to have two blocks that are identical andof the same dimensions or two blocks of different dimensions, one beingthicker than the other thus making it possible to adjust the effect offlexibility and firmness. The angular faces can have different forms,they are straight or incurved, one being concave and the other convex,they can have complementary corrugated surfaces, the protruding parts ofone interlocking in the hollow parts of the other. The assembly of theattached oblique parts can be produced by a mechanical link ofinterlocking and/or bonding type. The two blocks can be either of thesame form, from a right-angled triangle section or trapezoidal section,or be of different forms by a combination of a triangular section and ofa trapezoidal section, the two angular faces occupying the entireprojected surface of the pillow or only a part thereof, the trapezoidalblock being an angular or triangular trapezoid and the sidecorresponding to the small height of the trapezoid is zero and thendefined by an angle.

As a non-limiting indication, the pillow can be covered by two slips, afirst compressing the two blocks against one another making it possibleto ensure, alone or in addition, a possible mechanical assembly withoutglue. A second removable and washable anallergenic slip, plain orjacketed with fibers or even other conventional materials such as silk,wool, down (all for ventilation and comfort) provided with visual andtactile means for recognizing the different positions, even at night,such as distinct colors on the faces and the sides and/or spacing andforms of the stitching on the faces and sides.

The tests carried out by the Applicant have shown that there was anotherproblem to be resolved in order to ensure the complete rest of thesleeping person. This is the position of the shoulders either inposition lying on the side or in position lying on the back.

This problem has found a more satisfactory solution according to theinvention by having, on a pillow that has specific accommodating areas,an additional area intended to receive the shoulder of the sleepingperson, consisting of a notch cut into the two sides of the pillow. Thisnotch is placed at similar or different levels and preferably in themedian part of the pillow.

According to one embodiment, a more particular subject of the inventionis an enhanced bedding article ensuring a position of support and ofcomfort in the recumbent position.

Its specific subject is an ergonomic pillow with shape memory,consisting in particular of four distinct parts assembled together,characterized in that it comprises an accommodating area for supportingthe cervicals, an accommodating area for absorbing the shoulder inposition on the side or flat on the back, an accommodating area for thehead and the whole being assembled with different progressive cuts.

In the prior French patent application (application Ser. No. 10/00882filed on Mar. 4, 2010), the Applicant described a progressive-comfortpillow, formed from blocks of triangular form interlocking throughsymmetrical parts, the lower part of one being attached to the upperpart of the other to produce an assembly with parallel outer faces.

The document BF 2.778.834 describes, to this end, an ergonomic pillowintended to simultaneously hold the head, the neck and the scapularregion in an optimum position of safety and of well-being while sleepingon the back or on the side. The complex pillow comprises a scallopintended to receive the head between wedging cushions and the shoulderof the person sleeping on the side, in another scallop. Theneck-head-shoulder assembly is thus supported and raised by virtue ofinclined planes, notably in the position on the back. The duly formedassembly is raised by as many thickness shims as are needed to obtainthe straightness and the well-being of the vertebrae and of the head,regardless of the position of the person sleeping.

As is indicated in that document, by virtue of the superposition of thetwo blocks manifesting a different flexibility and firmness of thematerial and with areas of support differentiated from one area toanother, the duly constituted assembly follows the contours of the areasof the body supported and eliminates the points of compression, toobtain a satisfactory muscular and vertebral relaxation.

It takes the form of a narrowing arranged in the form of the pillow,symmetrically reducing the section of the pillow.

In this way, the person sleeping, whether he or she adopts the positionof sleeping on the left side or on the right side or even flat on theback, will obtain therein a support of the head that is even-handedlyfirm then flexible, or, conversely, by virtue of the texture of thepillow and a thrust and a support of the base of the cervicals, a moreor less flexible support depending on which side of the pillow is used.

The different progressive cuts of the pillow and the mode of assembly ofthe different blocks of material, such as viscoelastic foam with shapememory, mainly of a foam derived from soya oil, makes it possible tomake a choice between a multitude of different densities in order tothus obtain different types of pillow having different characteristicsof elasticity or of rigidity such as, for example, flexible/comfort orcomfort/tonic.

The narrowing made in the cut of the pillow takes the form of aninflection of the section of the surface of the pillow. This recess hasthe effect of locally reducing the section of the pillow by a fewcentimeters in its median part, which has the effect of allowing for adifferent flexibility and elasticity, in order to better adapt to thebase of the cervicals and of initially allowing the peak of the movementof the shoulder.

Consequently, the ergonomic pillow according to the invention is formedfrom two blocks of flexible materials, such as viscoelastic foam or anyelastic material, assembled symmetrically face against face to form anassembly of prismatic form, the top and bottom surfaces of which areincurved and the prismatic portion of each side of which is formed, onthe one hand, from two elongate sections and, on the other hand, from aportion narrowed in its middle.

The ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment has variablethicknesses such as, for example, different heights. It can have partsof varied thicknesses. It also offers the advantage of having many areasof variable elasticity. Thus, the pillow can have, in the top part, twofirm areas and, in the bottom part, two flexible areas, or else have, inthe top part, two flexible areas and, in the bottom part, two firmareas. Similarly, in each of the parts, there can be a firm area and aflexible area. The objective is therefore to produce an ergonomic pillowthat has many areas of different elasticities that can produce a beddingmeans which is perfectly suited to the anatomy of the person sleepingand also to his or her sleeping habits or to his or her muscularrelaxation needs.

According to this particular embodiment, preferably the two assembledparts comprise varied progressive cuts, the deflection of whichcontributes to the desired degree of elasticity and flexibility of theassembly, after assembly. It is also possible for the two parts of thepillow to comprise a planar surface and the assembly to be made usingincurved surfaces leaving a hollow area between them, in this wayensuring a greater or weaker variable elasticity, depending on thenature of the material used such as foam.

It may also be advantageous for the two parts to be a differentthickness so as to better adapt to the morphology of the personsleeping. In a particular manner, the two parts of the ergonomic pillowaccording to the present embodiment will have the same thickness.

The material of which these two parts are made is preferably apolyurethane foam obtained by polymerizing an isocyanate formed byreaction with soya oil.

The polymer obtained can exhibit varying degrees of polymerization,conditioning the elasticity and the flexibility of the material. It isthus possible to obtain blocks of polymers that are very rigid, fairlyrigid or flexible. The flexible materials offer the advantage ofexhibiting a shape memory.

The dimensions of the ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment canalso vary. The usual size of the pillow may be 50 to 80 cm long, 25 to45 cm wide and have a thickness varying from 6 to 15 cm. A preferreddimension is of the order of 55 cm long, 35 cm wide and to 11 cm thick.The pillow can also be made to measure (thickness, width, length)according to the morphological problems of the subject or the dimensionsof the bedding means.

The incurved form of the assembly thus makes it possible to bringtogether areas that have different characteristics, ensuring a very firmcervical accommodation with support for the head that is also firm thenflexible or else a cervical accommodation that is slightly firm thenrapidly flexible while ensuring a support for the head that is evenlyfirm then flexible. It is also possible to produce a very flexiblecervical accommodation and a support for the head that is evenlyflexible then firm. It is even possible to produce a cervicalaccommodation that is slightly flexible then rapidly firm while ensuringa support for the head that is evenly flexible then firm.

An ergonomic pillow is thus produced that offers both an area ofaccommodation for supporting the cervicals, an area of accommodation forabsorbing the shoulder surface on the side and on the back whatever theposition of the person sleeping and an area of accommodation for thehead, by virtue of the way it is cut into two parts, of differentconsistencies and forms.

The ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment is intended to beplaced in a single slip of fabric having different color visual markers,or phosphorescent or luminescent visual markers to allow for a suitableplacement, with tactile marker, piping with notch or embroidery.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, itis perfectly possible to provide variant embodiments without departingfrom the context of the invention as defined by the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective schematic view going from one block tothe other according to the invention, consisting of two blocks (1) and(2) of angular form attached by their oblique face, forming a commontransition surface (3) which defines a variable thickness over itsentire width and which is associated with different flexibilities andfirmnesses making it possible to define four distinct areas of comfortA, B, C, D depending on the four possible positions of use of thepillow.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 are cross-sectional views of the pillow according toFIG. 1 representing the four positions of use.

The identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of differentflexibilities and firmness, the identifier (3) indicates a straightangular face, the identifier (4) designates the area where the cervicalsrest and the identifier (5) the area where the head rests.

FIGS. 6 to 14 represent schematic cross sections of the pillow accordingto different variant embodiments linked to the geometry of the twoblocks.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids ofidentical form, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks ofdifferent flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3) representsstraight angular faces.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids withtwo blocks of different thicknesses, the identifiers (1) and (2)designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, theidentifier (3) representing straight angular faces.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view which represents two right-angledtriangles, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks ofdifferent flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3′) representscomplementary angular faces, concave and convex, incurved along astraight generatrix.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, theidentifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of differentflexibility and firmness, the identifier (3′) represents complementaryangular faces, concave and convex, incurved along a straight generatrix.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view which represents two right-angledtriangles, the identifiers (1) and (2) designating the two blocks ofdifferent flexibilities and firmness, the identifier (3″) representsregular and complementary corrugated angular faces, the protruding partsof one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, theidentifiers (1) and (2) designating the two blocks of differentflexibility and firmness, the identifier (3″) representing regularcorrugated angular faces, the protruding parts of one interlocking inthe hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view which represents a trapezoid and atriangle with two blocks of different thicknesses, the identifiers (1)and (2) also designate the two blocks of different flexibility andfirmness, the identifier (3) representing straight angular facesextending over a part of the projected surface of the pillow. In thiscase, the trapezoid of different thickness, the less thick is limited toa triangular section.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, theidentifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of differentflexibility and firmness, the identifier (3″′) represents complementaryangular faces, corrugated discontinuously, the variation of which isdefined according to the desired effects, the protruding parts of oneinterlocking in the hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 15 shows the embodiment of the ergonomic pillow according to theinvention. The two layers (11) (11′) are shown assembled face to face,the two concave top and bottom faces (13) (13′), comprising a corrugatedcut (14) and the two notches (12) (12′) ensuring the accommodation ofthe shoulder. This cut confers on the assembly qualities of flexibilityor of elasticity for the accommodation of the cervicals.

FIG. 16 represents an embodiment of the invention in which thecorrugated cut (14) is interrupted at one end by a widened roundedsegment (16) ending at the notch (12). This rounded segment helps toconfer on the assembly, depending on the density of the material, agreater flexibility or firmness and a more targeted support. The tworounded elements (18) (18′) each represent a core in circumferentialform arranged in the pillow whose dimensions are variable and offer afirmer consistency.

The area (1) ensures the accommodation of the cervicals and the area (3)is a flatter area which ensures the accommodation of the head withoutraising.

FIG. 17 represents another embodiment of the ergonomic pillow accordingto the invention in which the circular cut (16) of the two parts isinterrupted by a partial cut (15) in sawtooth form (14′). The thicknessof the top part (13) is substantially thinned compared to the bottompart (13′).

FIG. 18 represents another embodiment according to the invention inwhich the corrugated cut (14) is replaced by two rounded segments (17)(17′) having a hollow profile, arranged symmetrically on either side ofthe median section (12) (12′). The segment (17′) has a greater thicknessthan the rounded segment (17).

The form of this pillow has a greater or lesser thickness and length,allowing for a different thrust on the area of the cervicals, andconsequently ensuring rest for the head. In this way, the personsleeping will find an area of rest exactly suited to his or hermeasurements.

FIG. 19 shows the two-part construction of the ergonomic pillowaccording to the invention. The top part (11) has twice the height ofthat of the bottom layer (11′). The material of the two parts has twoareas of different densities (medium/flexible or firm/medium).

This type is variable for all types of embodiment.

All these figures are merely examples of many possible variations.

1. A progressive-comfort ergonomic pillow, comprising two flexibleangular blocks attached in reverse directions by their oblique face,made of a material of a firmness and flexibility distinct from oneanother, so as to obtain a continuous variation over the entire width ofthe blocks, obtained by four distinct support areas A-B-C-D definingfour positions of use and each benefiting from many areas providingdifferent support, a first position where the upper area holding thehead is essentially flexible then firm at extreme depth, whereas thearea of the cervicals is firm then immediately more flexible, a secondposition where the upper area holding the head is mainly firm thenflexible at extreme depth whereas the area of the cervicals is firm inthe accommodating area then immediately more flexible, a third positionwhere the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, firmon the surface then flexible at depth whereas the area of the cervicalsis mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth, and a fourth position,where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed,flexible on the surface then firm at depth whereas the area of thecervicals is mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth.
 2. The pillowas claimed in claim 1, the pillow formed by two blocks having aright-angled triangle section.
 3. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, thepillow formed from two blocks having a trapezoidal section.
 4. Thepillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two blocks areidentical and of the same dimensions.
 5. The pillow as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the two blocks are of different dimensions, onebeing thicker than the other thus making it possible to adjust theeffect of flexibility and firmness, comprising an oblique face,extending over all or part of the projected surface of the pillow, theless thick trapezoid being configured at the lower limit as a triangularsection.
 6. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that theangular faces are straight.
 7. The pillow as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the angular faces are incurved according to astraight generatrix, one being concave and the other convex, thus makingit possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness.
 8. Thepillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angular faceshave complementary corrugated surfaces that are regular or irregular,the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of theother and thus allowing for a mechanical-type interlocking
 9. The pillowas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the attached angular facesare assembled by a mechanical link of interlocking and/or bonding type.10. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, the pillow is jacketed by a firstslip which compresses the two blocks one against the other, making itpossible to ensure and/or complete a possible mechanical assembly, andby a second, removable anallergenic slip, which further comprises visualand/or tactile recognition means such as distinct color and/or spacingand form of the stitching making it possible to differentiate thedifferent positions of use and different firmness characteristics. 11.An ergonomic pillow that comprises specific accommodating areas, and anadditional area for receiving the shoulder of a person sleeping on hisor her side or flat on his or her back.
 12. The ergonomic pillow asclaimed in claim 11, characterized in that the additional area compriseat least one notch cut into one of the two sides of the pillow.
 13. Theergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, in which the notch is arrangedon either side of the median part of the pillow.
 14. The ergonomicpillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the notch is placedat similar or different levels.
 15. The ergonomic pillow as claimed inclaim 11, characterized in that the notch takes the form of a narrowingarranged in the form of the pillow.
 16. The ergonomic pillow as claimedin claim 11, characterized in that the material of which the pillow ismade has a plurality of different densities conferring different typesof flexibility on the pillow.
 17. The ergonomic pillow as claimed inclaim 11, characterized in that the material of which the pillow is madehas characteristics of elasticity by variation of the nature of theconstituent material and by the mode of cutting of the pillow.
 18. Theergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, in which the differentcharacteristics of elasticity vary within wide limits such as, forexample, from flexible/comfort to comfort/tonic.
 19. The ergonomicpillow as claimed in claim 11 is formed from two blocks of viscoelasticmaterial, assembled symmetrically face against face, to form an assemblyof prismatic form, the top and bottom faces of which are incurved, theperpendicular portion of each side of which is formed, on the one hand,from two elongate sections, and, on the other hand, from a segmentnarrowed in its middle and the incurved surfaces of which leave a hollowarea between them, the assembly allowing for a variable elasticity ofthe pillow.
 20. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, the pillowcan be made to measure and for example having a length varying from 50to 80 cm, a width varying from 25 to 45 cm, a thickness varying from 8to 15 cm, and having a median notch of the order of 2 cm.
 21. Theergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, the height of which is variableand has an asymmetrical surface, one part being higher than the other.